CS Fullerton Chooses Not to Recruit Parker

Cal State Fullerton officials decided earlier this week not to recruit Richie Parker, a basketball player and convicted sex offender, according to the university president’s executive assistant.

“There had been some interest by the coaching staff, but the decision was made to not pursue that any further,” said Judith Anderson, who oversees the athletic department for President Milton A. Gordon.

Assistant coach George Fuller, who confirmed Thursday night that he had been in contact with Parker, said Friday he had not been informed of that decision. Fuller said, however, that his involvement was “in the preliminary stage and not serious.”

Athletic Director John Easterbrook said Friday, “We are not recruiting the young man.”

Parker, a former high school All-American guard, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse in January, 1995 and was put on probation for five years.

Parker had signed a national letter of intent with Seton Hall in 1994, but the school withdrew its scholarship offer after the conviction.